Chief Executive Officer

Portland, OR


The Math Learning Center (MLC) is a non-profit education organization with a track record of developing high-quality mathematics programs, including Bridges in Mathematics curriculum. We create materials that engage students, promote classroom community and discourse, and help more than 80,000 elementary teachers across the country deliver effective mathematics instruction.

The opportunity:

We’re seeking a strategic and collaborative Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to provide the strategy, leadership, and operational excellence that will drive MLC’s continued growth and impact. Working in close partnership with the Board of Directors, senior leadership team, employees, and key internal and external stakeholders, the CEO shapes and executes strategic priorities that advance MLC’s mission and long-term goals. 

This leader fosters a culture of innovation, collaboration, and operational excellence and ensures strong organizational performance across all areas of the business. The CEO also serves as a key ambassador for MLC and the Maier Math Foundation, building meaningful relationships with partners, customers, and the broader community. 

This position is hybrid or fully onsite and is based in Oregon. Collaborative time is shared between our offices in Portland and Salem, Oregon. 

Key responsibilities:

Leadership

  • Translate mission into results by setting clear goals, aligning resources, and holding the organization accountable for performance.
  • Provide leadership, strategic direction, and oversight to ensure the operational effectiveness and efficiency of the organization.
  • Assist and advise senior leadership in defining and developing products and services to further MLC’s mission.
  • Provide hands-on leadership and guidance to functional areas including product, finance, operations, customer experience, marketing, human resources, and technology.

Growth & Development

  • Identify opportunities for growth and develop plans to pursue them. 
  • Drive the business development strategy, grow sustainable revenue, and deepen mission impact.
  • Oversee the development, implementation, and management of outreach programs and act as spokesperson as needed.

Culture & Mission

  • Foster a culture of accountability, transparency, and continuous improvement across the organization.
  • Champion a strong organizational culture in partnership with the Chief People Officer, ensuring the organization attracts, develops, and supports talented staff while fostering an inclusive, high-performing workplace.
  • Foster a positive work environment and promote teamwork and collaboration, encouraging staff members to contribute their unique perspectives and talents.
  • Model and promote the organization’s values and culture, setting a high standard for ethical and effective behavior in all interactions.
  • Demonstrate steady, values-driven leadership.

Financial

  • Oversee sound fiscal management, long-term sustainability planning, and responsible resource allocation.
  • Oversee the organization’s financial management in partnership with the Chief Financial Officer, ensuring that the organization is financially sound and operating with financial prudence for long-term sustainability.
  • Ensure a diversified and resilient revenue model that balances risk and supports organizational stability.

Strategic Direction

  • Drive the organization’s strategic vision in collaboration with the Board of Directors and senior leadership, translating long-term priorities into actionable plans.
  • Cultivate a strong board partnership by fostering a transparent, collaborative relationship, supporting strategic engagement, and ensuring clear roles, responsibilities, and accountability at all levels.
  • Ensure mission-aligned execution by aligning programs, initiatives, and operations with the organization’s strategic direction, values, and impact goals.
  • Develop and execute strategies that drive growth, innovation, and sustainable impact.

How you are qualified:

  • Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, master’s degree preferred. 
  • Ten years of demonstrated executive leadership experience, ideally within a nonprofit, education, or mission-driven organization of comparable complexity and scale.
  • Experience building, leading, and developing high-performing teams and senior leaders.
  • Proven success advancing organizational growth through nonprofit leadership, fundraising, or strategic business development.
  • Proven ability to develop and execute strategic plans that drive measurable impact and organizational growth.
  • Strong business acumen, financial literacy, and analytical skills with the ability to translate strategic vision into actionable plans and measurable results.
  • Demonstrated success developing and executing growth strategies that align with organizational mission and goals.
  • Passion for the organization’s mission and values.
  • Local and nationwide travel to attend conferences, visit districts, and represent the organization at trade shows happens 6–20% of the time.

We offer our employees an excellent work environment that includes:

  • An emphasis on collaboration, with all staff expected to participate in achieving organizational goals.
  • A dedicated team of mission-driven professionals.
  • Competitive pay and benefits.
  • Paid Time-Off: 12 holidays, 24 additional days PTO, plus a wellness week.
  • Health Insurance (medical, dental, vision): Premiums paid at 100% for employees.
  • Retirement 401(k) plan.
  • Disability and Life Insurance: Employer-paid short-term, long-term, and group life.

The Math Learning Center is an equal opportunity employer. We provide fair and equal opportunities for all employees and job applicants regardless of race, color, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, marital status, familial status, disability, or genetic information, in compliance with applicable federal, state and local law. The Math Learning Center hires and promotes individuals solely on the basis of their qualifications for the job to be filled.